The Proof is in the Pudding
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. (Mark 16:15-20)
Here is Jesus giving the great commission to his disciples, to go into all the world and preach. Jesus also stated that there would be some things to follow them that believe. Now the significance of this all and how it was accomplished is found in verse 20, “the Lord working with them”. I am sure that everyone could agree that the disciples could certainly hold claim that they were the people of God. They had the proof. The reason being of course is again, the Lord was working with them. This is what we need more than anything else.
We can have a high standard of dress for our adherents. We could boast of how many we are bringing in through our various programs. But if in fact the Lord is not working with us, how could we claim success spiritually? We must have more than show! It must be a powerful witness of his spirit that will indicate to a lost religious world, what we teach is the truth. He must be sensed among a people collectively in order to convince a pleasure crazed society of his reality. We can boast all day long of our petty successes, but if divine immanence is not manifested with us, all will seem just a hoax.
Yes, it is still required for us to go forth and preach the gospel to every creature. But not without the Lord working with us! This will be the proof in the pudding for all we try to bring into the truth. It must be more than just noise or looks, but the Holy Ghost power. Not with enticing words of man’s wisdom but demonstrating in the Spirit of God. May our prayer be, “Lord, make us what we should be so you can dwell and work with us to accomplish the work you will have the end time
Anti-Sectarian?
And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace. And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other. And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him. (Mark 3:4-6)
Here we find Jesus going into the synagogue on the Sabbath and finding a man who had a withered hand. Jesus directed his attention toward this man and had in mind to heal him. But the Jews watched to condemn him if he would heal on the Sabbath. The Sabbath was given, as Jesus stated, for a benefit to the people as a day of rest. Also, typifying the rest we have in Jesus. The Jews had so legalized the teachings handed to them, having no room whatsoever for God to show otherwise. They had become very sectarian to the extent as we can see; ready to kill anyone who thought otherwise.
We as the
The 4-H Club
We all would love number 4, “heavenly”, but in order to be of that nature we must first go through the other three. Lets deal with them one at a time.
“But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.” (Luke 8:15) Jesus was dealing with the preaching of the word of God in this parable. Here is the fourth type of ground, which is explained by “an honest and good heart”. This means these people when they heard the word of God were honest. With this type of attitude, God was able to bring them to see themselves as he saw them, thus producing conviction.
The next stage is as follows. “Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:4) This is what the Lord requires after we become honest with our condition of being without a relationship with God. If we become humble and repent of our sins as the Lord pronounces judgment on our condition, at that time we can obtain entrance into his everlasting kingdom. This is what is expected of us.
“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy, for I am holy.” (1 Pet 1:15, 16) Another place in the Holy Scriptures it states clearly that without holiness no man shall see the Lord. This is the lifestyle that is required from God out of his followers. If we are honest at the preaching of his word, then humble ourselves before his presence and ask for the forgiveness of our sins, then the Lord can bring us into holiness. Holiness is simply total obedience to all that God requires. No sin! Now that all that is accomplished, this is what the Lord wants to do.
“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus”: (Eph 2:4-6) What a blessed place to be. First is honesty, second humility, and third holiness. After all this has been allowed to have its way with us, this gives us the benefit of living in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. A simple road to take, but will we do it? Many souls will refuse to take the route of the 4-H club, but this is the way to heaven. Prayerfully consider and may God bless you as you follow this route.
Obituary
We are sad to announce the passing of Mr. Present Unspeakable Joy. Mr. Joy was a native of the Mt. Zion community where he resided all of his life. He was much loved and appreciated, always willing to do what he could for the Mt. Zion inhabitants. He was well known around the campmeeting and revival circles of years ago, also being closely associated with the regular Sunday Service folks. Mr. Joy was employed many years with God & Son Reconciliation Company Inc. Being one of their most enthusiastic and profitable employees.
Mr. Joy passed away Sunday morning after a long illness. An autopsy performed by the Dr. Needmore Hope D.D., revealed lukewarmitis of the soul, plus large concentrations of the Thankless and Hopelessness viruses.
Mr. Joy is survived by his wife of many years, Mrs. Righteousness Joy of the home, who is rarely see anymore. Many say she has admitted herself into the Old Fashioned Holiness Home in Mt. Zion. He is also survived by one brother Mr. Happy Me Joy, one sister Mrs. Peace Ofgod, his parents Justification and Sanctification Joy, who according to many reports are feeble and sickly these days.
Funeral services were conducted Sunday Evening at the
In lieu of flowers, please send prayers to the Hope of Revival Foundation (Address listed below)
President J. Christ
John 316 Sonshine Ave.
New Jerusalem, Heaven 77777
What Does God Think?
I have often meditated on the thought of the above subject. Just wondering what does God really think about all of these that call themselves "special to God"? Or in clearer language, what does God think about what terms itself as the "
When God looks down, does it seem amusing, or really grievous, when he hears certain ones with a stentorian cry saying, "We are the people of God, and God is in our corner"? And yet what do they have in their corner? What do they have to offer that would be greater than anyone else? Is emotional turbulence or rousting about, jerking of the nerves evidence that God is working mightily among them? Or on the other hand, a lifeless worship, a tearless altar, a woe-be-gone atmosphere, is that a good indication that the Holy One of Israel is moving in their midst? Yet vociferously they proclaim, "God has to be with us, for we have held sacred to the traditions that our fathers had with whom God blessed". Are they oblivious to the fact that with our forefathers it was holy anointing and communion with the Holy Ghost, not man rule and cold legalism?
What does God think when they gather in little groups propagating doctrines they have acquired through a special, personal divine revelation, by which they neither have holy script nor divine unction? Yet, this “revelation” makes them feel superior in spirituality to the extent of haughtiness, accusing others of being of lesser “light” and illiterate of these divine truths that only God could trust them with. Could God stamp “Pharisee” on this sort of practice, when there is no love for souls but only for kingdom building?
What does God really think about us? We know that his word condemns sin, and yet it should be his love that binds us together in holiness, requiring us to endeavor to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. If our attitude is finding reasons why we as true saints should separate instead of coming together as the redeemed, then we must be omitting precious biblical truths that formed us as a people.
I guess we all feel we know what God thinks, (I must feel myself to know somewhat, for I am writing this), but if we only could know, how different we might treat one another. How we should hate sin and evil, even the evil of division. How we should love holiness and truth, even the truth of unity. In reality, we do know what God thinks for we have his written word. Let us live by what is written and not fill in the spaces with “I know what God thinks”.